Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-209 — Sexual solicitation by an actor offering to engage in sexual activity for compensation.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 2: General Offenses, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Sexual solicitation by an actor offering to engage in sexual activity for compensation

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-209

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-209Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-5d-101, and 76-5d-201 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits the offense of sexual solicitation by an actor offering to engage in sexual activity for compensation if the actor: (2)(a) is 18 years old or older; and (2)(b)(i) offers or agrees to commit any sexual activity with another individual in exchange for receiving a fee, or the functional equivalent of a fee; (2)(b)(ii)(A) takes steps to arrange a meeting with another individual through any form of advertising or agreement to meet; (2)(b)(ii)(B) meets the individual at an arranged place; and (2)(b)(ii)(C) arranged and met the individual for the purpose of being hired to engage in sexual activity in exchange for receiving a fee, or the functional equivalent of a fee; (2)(b)(iii) loiters in, or within view of, a public place for the purpose of being hired to engage in sexual activity in exchange for receiving a fee, or the functional equivalent of a fee; or (2)(b)(iv) with intent to be hired to engage in sexual activity in exchange for receiving a fee, or the functional equivalent of a fee, engages in, or offers or agrees to engage in, any of the following acts: (2)(b)(iv)(A) exposure or touching of an individual's genitals, buttocks, anus, pubic area, or female breast below the top of the areola; (2)(b)(iv)(B) masturbation; or (2)(b)(iv)(C) any act of lewdness. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) or under a local ordinance adopted in compliance with Section 76-5d-102 is: (3)(a) a class B misdemeanor on a first or second violation; or (3)(b) a class A misdemeanor on a third or subsequent violation. (4) An intent to be hired to engage in sexual activity for a fee may be inferred from an actor engaging in, offering or agreeing to engage in, or requesting or directing another to engage in any of the acts described in Subsection (2)(b)(iv) under the totality of the existing circumstances. (5)(a) Upon encountering a child engaged in commercial sex or sexual solicitation, a law enforcement officer shall follow the procedure described in Subsection 76-5d-106(2). (5)(b) A child engaged in commercial sex or sexual solicitation shall be referred to the Division of Child and Family Services for services and may not be subjected to delinquency proceedings. (6) A prosecutor may not prosecute an actor for a violation of Subsection (2) if the actor engages in a violation of Subsection (2) at or near the time the actor witnesses or is a victim of any of the offenses, or an attempt to commit any of the offenses, described in Subsection 76-5d-202(4), and the actor reports the offense or attempt to law enforcement in good faith. (7) As part of a sentence imposed under Subsection (3), the court may lower, waive, or suspend a fine if the actor completes a court-approved program that provides information or services intended to help an individual no longer engage in prostitution.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is sexual solicitation by an actor offering to engage in sexual activity for compensation a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: sexual solicitation by an actor offering to engage in sexual activity for compensation ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-209.

First or second violation: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-209(3)(a)) · Third or subsequent violation: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-209(3)(b))

Which Utah statute covers sexual solicitation by an actor offering to engage in sexual activity for compensation?

Sexual solicitation by an actor offering to engage in sexual activity for compensation is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5d-209 (Sexual solicitation by an actor offering to engage in sexual activity for compensation).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.